Sequence control system for multiple electrically operated dispensing units



SEQUENCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL BY OPERATED DISPENSING UNITS Filed Feb. 10, 1954 lol 17 I03 10a 99,

Aug. 26, 1958 R J DALEY 2,849,155

ROGER J. DHLEY INVENTOR.

3 1 and. branch lines "33.

SEQUENCE CONTRQL SYSTEM FDR MULTIPLE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED DISPENSING UNlTs Roger J. Daley, Fort Wayne, Ind.,-assignor to Bowser, ,.=Inc., Fort -Wayne, Ind, a corporation of Indiana Application February 10,1954, Serial No. 4109,5021

10. Claims. c1. 222-76) This invention relates to, a multiple unit sequence control system. More specifically, it relates to aliquid pumping system in which a number of dispensers, are, served by. a plurality ofpurnps and in which one pumpv is started when one dispenser is actuated, the second pump .is

operatedwhena predetermined number of dispensers have been actuated andthe thirdpump. is, started-when a pre- 7 determined number of additional" dispensers have been actuated. andlin which the pumps are. stopped, in reverse order as the dispensers are closed down.

A principle objector the invention is to provide an electrical control system for a number. of. pump units which serve a multiple number of dispensers which are actuated ina variable sequence of operation.

A further. object of the invention. is to provide anelec- .tric'al control system in which one pump or a plurality of pumps may serve one dispenser or a plurality ofd'ispensers which are operable at will in any order ofdemand.

Another object of the invention is to provide. electrical controljmeans, for energizing electrical mechanisms in a predetermined order as the demand increases and deenergizing them'in, reverse order asthe demand decreases.

Animportant object of this'invention is to provide an electrical control system for a plurality of electrical mechanismswhich are'responsive to .the variation of current'strength; or amperage flowing in the, circuit to start and stop; the electrical mechanisms.

With the objects definitely in view, together'with other objects whichwillappear as this description proceeds, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combinations'and arrangement of elements as will be hereinafter described-in detailin the specification,

particularly-' pointed out in the appended claims and .illustrated in" the accompanying-drawings which'form' a material part of this application and in which: V

Figure 1 is aschematic'wi'ring diagram of the electrical control'system and a piping diagram for a liquid dispensing system which is controlled thereby.

Referring to the drawing, .the numerals 1, 3 and 5 represent liquid pumpshaving their suction inlets con- -11ected;to. atank. 7 through, the. manifold 9. 'Thepumps 1,3 and. Sware driven by motors 1-1, 13 and 15, respec- .=ti.vely;

The discharge outlet of-pumpd is; connected tothedis pensers 17 through line19, gas separator 21, line 23, check valve 25,.line;27,jmanifo 1d 28, line-29and armanifold, 31 having branch lines 33.

The discharge outlet of pump 3 .is connected to the dispensers 17 throughfline. 35,-,;gas separator 37, line 39, check valve 41, line 43, manifold'28, line 29, manifold atent O 2,849,155 Patented Aug. 26, 1958 .The discharge outlet of pump 1 is connected to .=the

dispensers .17 through lline 45, gas separator '47, .line 49,

In thepower supply circuit the main 63,"which repre- .sents a regular 115 volt, cycle -A..C..so11rce. of-supply, is connected to-one =sideof the primary Winding 64 of a "fSola' constant voltage. transformer 6 5z havinga .15 kva. rating through .a disconnect switch 67 and line 69. The main 71 is connected to transformer through .switch 67 andline 73. The secondary winding 66 of transformer 65 has :one side. connected Lto'the input side. of a half wave selenium rectifier 75v through line 77.-thereby converting the AC. current to D. C. current. '..The DQC.

cur-rent "output from the. selenium rectifier '75.."charges. a

condenser 79 having e20 mfd. rating, through line 81, a limiting resistor 83 having a rating. of 820 ohms, line "85 and line'87. The negative side. of the condenser is connected to the other side of the. secondary-66 of transformer 65 through line 89 and line 91. A condenser 93 .having a 20 mfd. rating, is, also, charged by the current output 'from' rectifier '75 through line 1 81"a'ndline 95.

The negative side ofthe condenser 93'is connected 'tothe secondary 66 of transformer 65 through line97 a'nd line91. The output voltage across terminals A B is volts when in operation. In the D. C. control circuit the current flows from. the positive terminal A to one side of each of the manually operated dispenser switches 99..through.line--85, variable resistorsallll. The sets of switches and resistors are connected in. parallel; and the resistorsspreferably .have. a resistanceof 27,000. ohms .in the system illustrated. 'Each resistor-is. mountedin series 'witha switch 99through. a. branch: line 103. .The other sides of all dispenser switches 99areconnected Itothe negative terminal B through branch lines 105; lineql07, relay coil. 109, line v111, relay c,oil.113,.line 115,: relay coil 117 and line 91. The coils 109, 113 andp117have a resistance of 8000, 2500, 5000 ohms respectively.

In the A. C. control circuit one side .of thestarter solenoid 119' of the starting switch: 121 .-isconnected to .main 63 through switch 67, line 69, line 123, relay switch 125, line 127. The other side of the solenoid 119is connected to :main 71 through switch'67, line 73 and line 129. The starter solenoid 131 of the starting switch 133 is connected to main 63 through switch--67,' line 69, line .123, 'line 135, relay switch 137 and line 139.- .The other sideof the solenoid 131 is connected to-main 71 through switch-67, line 73, line 129 and'line 1 41. -The starter .solenoid 1.43 of the startingswitch -is connected to main .63 through, switch 67, .line69, line123, line147,

relay switch 149-and line 151. The other s'ideof the -solenoid143 is connected tomain 71 through switc'h'67, 1 lines 73,129 and 153.

-I'n.an operating circuit the motor 11 is connected to 65- main.n6-3" through .line 155, contacts 157,159 of switch 121, lines 161, 123, 69 and switch 67. The other side of the motor 11 is connected to main 71 through line 163, contacts 165, 167 of switch 121, lines 169, 129, 73 and switch 67. The motor 13 is connected to main 63 through line 171, contacts 173, 175 of switch 133, lines 177, 123, 69 and switch 67. The other side of motor 13 is connected to main 71 through line 179, contacts 181, 183 of switch 133, lines 165, 129, 73 and switch 67. The motor 15 is connected to the main 63 through line 187, contacts 169, 191 of switch 145, lines 193, 123, 69 and switch 67. The other side of the motor 15 is connected to main 71 through line 195 contacts 197, 199 of switch 145, lines 201, 129, 73 and switch 67.

Operation Assume that switch 67 is closed thereby providing a power supply of constant voltage of 135 volts across terminals A and B.

Closing any one of the dispenser switches 99 causes approximately 3.30 milliamperes of current to flow in the D. C. control circuit as illustrated in the chart below.

Our- Numrent Acber of Total Total Total Conin tual disresistresistance control trol conmeas- Relay penance of of resistors circuit cirtrol ured, cutin scrs relays 101 which resistance cuit cirmilpoint actu- 109+113 arein 0012+ voltcuit, llamated +117 circuit 001.3 age milperes llamperes In the above chart column 1 represents the number of dispensers actuated; column 2 represents the total resistance of relays 109, 113 and 117; column 3 represents the total resistance of variable resistors 101 as set in this illustration; column 4 represents the total resistance of column 2 plus column 3; column 5 represents the constant voltage across terminals A-B; column 6 represents the current in milliamperes as calculated by Ohms law thus omitting the inductance factor in the circuit; column 7 represents the actual measured milliamperes in the circuit and column 8 represents the stage at which the relay switches 125, 137 and 149 are closed.

The current in the D. C. control circuit value of 3.30 milliamperes is enough to cause the coil 109 to close the relay switch 125. The relay 109 which is constructed and adjusted to pull in at approximately 2.60 milliamperes, and will drop out at a value somewhat less than 2.60.

The closure of the relay switch 125 causes a flow of current in the A. C. control circuit thereby energizing the coil 119 which closes the starting switch 121.

The starting of motor 11 causes a flow of liquid from tank 7 to the dispenser being operated.

Assume that a second dispenser is placed in operation by closing another dispensing switch 99. The current load of two actuated dispensers in the D. C. control circuit will be approximately 4.65 rnilliamperes as illustrated in the chart because the addition of a second resistance 101 in parallel with the first reduces the total resistance of the control circuit by about 13,500 ohms. This is insuflicient current to energize relay 113, which has a coil 2500 ohms in value and is constructed and adjusted so that it will pull in at approximately 5.50 milliamperes and drop out at a somewhat lower value. Therefore, only one pump will operate to transfer the liquid from the tank to the manifold 31 when two dispensers are in operation.

tor 1.3. Thus, the second motor 13 is energized and will 1 drive pump 3 to contribute an additional supply of liquid to manifold 31 and to the actuated dispensers.

Assume that fourth and fifth dispensers are placed in operation by closing two more dispenser switches 99. A current of approximately 6.45 milliampers will flow in the D. C. control circuit as illustrated in the chart because the addition of two more resistors 101 in parallel with the others has reduced the total resistance of the circuit to about 20,900 ohms. This is insufiicient current to energize relay 117, which has a coil 5000 ohms in value and is constructed and adjusted to pull in at approximately 6.70 milliamperes and drop out at a slightly lower value. Therefore, only two pumps will operate to transfer the liquid from the tank to the manifold 31 when four or five dispensers are actuated.

Assume that a sixth dispenser is placed in operation by closing another dispenser switch 99. A current of about 6.70 milliamperes will flow in the D. C. control circuit as illustrated in the chart for the reasons stated above. This is sufficient current to pull in relay 117 closing switch 149 which in turn energizes solenoid 143 which closes the starting switch 145. The closure of switch 145 closes the operating circuit to motor 15. Thus the third motor 15 is energized which will drive pump 5 to contribute an additional supply of liquid to manifold 31 and to the actuated dispensers.

Should additional dispensers be actuated, the resistance of the control circuit would be lowered still more resulting in a further increase in circuit amperage which would serve to hold the relays in.

Operation of the pumps will continue as long as 6 or more dispensers remain actuated. As the actuated dispensers are closed down the current in the D. C. control circuit decreases as illustrated in the chart and relays 117, 113 and 109 drop out in that order. For example, the actuated dispensers are closed down until only five are operating. The current in the D. C. control circuit decreaser to 6.45 which is insufficient to keep the relay 117 energized. The switch 149 will open, which in turn will deenergize the solenoid 143 and switch 145 will open to stop motor 15 and pump 5. Motor 11 continues to run until the last actuated dispenser is closed down.

It is obvious that any practical number of motors, starting switches, relays and dispensers could be arranged with the control circuits. Also, by varying the resistors 101 the second and third motors could be cut in and out at a different sequence if desired.

For example by changing all of the resistors to a resistance of 36,000 ohms, the first relay 109 would have to respond to a current of By changing the resistors to 18000 ohms the first relay will have to respond to a current of 4.03 milliamperes =6.75 milliamperes on the closure of the second switch 99.

The third relay which" responds to' a current of 6.70

Inilliampe'res willbe -pulled -in =o'n 'the fourthpe'destal which-will producea current of It is obvious that if the relays are to be pulled in at intervals other than those stated above by way of example, the relays themselves will have to be individually adjusted or other relays having the required current characteristics will have to be substituted to secure the desired operation.

It should also be noted that as the number of relays is increased, it becomes necessary to utilize more sensitive relays because the change in amperage as successive resistors 131 are cut in becomes less and less.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a control system for sequentially energizing a number of mechanisms, a circuit comprising a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of operable switches connected in parallel to one side of said supply, a resistor connected in series with each switch, said resistors being connected in parallel with each other, a number of actuable current strength responsive devices connected in series with each other and between said resistors and the other side of said power supply, said devices being constructed to be actuated in response to different current strengths in said circuit which are attained by closing different numbers of said switches at random and means responsive to actuation of each of said devices for energizing one of said mechanisms.

2. In a control system for sequentially energizing a number of actuable current responsive devices comprising a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of manual operable switches, a resistor in series with each switch, said switch resistor being connected in parallel to one side of said power supply, said resistors acting to vary the current in said circuit as different numbers of said switches at random are closed, a number of actuable current responsive devices connected in series with each other and between said resistor group and the other side of said power supply, said devices each being constructed and arranged to be actuated in response to a different current strength in said circuit.

3. In a control system for sequentially energizing a number of actuable current responsive devices, a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of actuable control means connected to one side of said power supply, means responsive to the actuation at random of different numbers of said control means for varying the current in said circuit, a number of actuable current responsive devices connected with each other, with said control means and with the other side of said power supply, said devices each adapted to be sequentially actuated in response to a different current strength in said circuit.

4. In a control system for sequentially energizing electrical mechanisms, a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of operable switches connected in parallel-to one sideiof'saidv power supply, means responsive to the closing of'different 'numbersof said'switc'hes at random forvaryingthe' current in said circuit, a number of actuable 'current responsive' devices connected-with each' other,-with said switches and with the other 'sidesof said power-supply, said devices adapted ated for energizing'one of the-mechanisms.

5. Ina centrol system for energizable electrie-alme'chanisms comprisingva combination ofa circuit having: a 'subs'tantially constant voltagepower supply, a numben of operable switches connected in parallel to one side of said power supply, a means responsive to the closing of said switches at random for varying the current in said circuit, a number of actuable current responsive devices connected in series with each other, with said switches and the other side of said power supply, said devices being each adapted to be actuated in response to a different current strengths in said circuit, a number of energizable electrical mechanisms, means controlled by each device when actuated for energizing one of the mechanisms, and means controlled by each electrical mechanism when actuated for energizing a drive means.

6; In a control system for actuable current responsive device comprising a combination of a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of operable switches connected in parallel with each other and to one side of said power supply, a variable resistor connected in series with each switch, a number of actuable current responsive devices connected in series with each other, with said resistors and switches and with the other side of said power supply, said devices adapted to be actuated in response to different current strengths in said circuit which is produced by closing different numbers of said switches at random.

7. In a control system for energizable electrical mechanisms comprising a combination of a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of operable switches connected in parallel to one side of said power supply, a variable resistor connected in series with each switch, all of said resistors having substantially the same resistance, a number of relays connected in series with each other, with said resistors and with said power supply, said relays adapted to be sequentially actuated in response to different current strengths in said circuit resulting from the closing of different numbers of said switches at random.

8. In a sequence control system for multiple motors, a circuit having a substantially constant voltage power supply, a number of operable switches connected in parallel to one side of said power supply, a variable resistor connected in series with each switch, a number of relays connected in series with each other, with the resistors and switches and with the other side of said power supply, said relays adapted to be actuated in response to different current strengths in said circuit, said different current strength being obtained by closing different numbers of said switches at random, means including a starter switch connected to be actuated in response to each actuated relay to close said starter switch and a motor adapted to be energized in response to each actuated starter switch.

9. In an electrical control system for a number of electrical mechanisms comprising a circuit having a substantially constant D. C. voltage power supply, a D. C. control circuit having connected to it in series, a switch and resistor group comprising a number of series coupled switch and resistor units, said units disposed in parallel in the group and a number of relays, an A. C. control circuit controlled by each relay having a starter and said relays being sequentially responsive to said D. C. control circuit as said switches are closed at random in diiferent numbers and an operating A. C. circuit having drive means connected to be responsive to said starters in the A. C. control circuit.

10. In a liquid dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers, a liquid supply means in communication with said dispensers, said liquid supply means having a number of pumps connected thereto, said pumps being connected in parallel to supply liquid under pressure to said dispensers, a motor connected to drive each pump, a substantially constant voltage power supply, a manually operable dispenser switch for'each dispenser, connecting means joining all of the dispenser switches in parallel and with said power supply, said connecting means having current varying means and means sequentially responsive to the strength of the flow of current connected in circuit with said connecting means and power supply and operating means responsive to said current responsive means for energizing the motors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,894 Dewan Sept. 15, 1942 10 2,416,361 Trexler Feb. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 319,184 Germany Mar. 5, 1920 

